JET, Powermatic Parent Company Purchased by Private Equity Firm

This just in: big news on the business side of the power tool industry!

This morning in a press release, Tenex Capital Management announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire the machinery and tools business of Walter Meier AG of Switzerland. For those who may not be aware, Walter Meier Tools manufactures the machinery and equipment under the JET, Wilton and Powermatic brands.

Walter Meier Tools is headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, but the company also has operations in Switzerland, Germany, Russia, France, Taiwan and China. It sells through more than 3,000 distribution channels in 30 countries. Tenex, the purchasing company, is a private equity firm focused on middle market investments. The transaction is expected to be completed by October 31, 2013. No financial terms were disclosed.

In the same press release, Michael Green, CEO of Tenex Capital Management, stated, “In Walter Meier Tools, we have acquired a strong company with great brands and a growing market share in each of its segments. The well-recognized brands of JET, Wilton and Powermatic define the resilience and durability of the products. We look forward to supporting the company and its management team in executing its continued growth initiatives.”

At this time, that’s about all the information we have here at the Journal, but stay tuned! We will provide updates as they become available.

http://bestmitersawguide.com Mike

Great info on the latest developments. Will keep tuned to the journal.

http://bestmitersawguide.com Simon

I hope no jobs are lost due to this takeover

http://Bhess1752@charter.net jim hess

I hope more jobs are created in U.S.A.

Steve Holbrook

I started my career at Jet in 1971 as the 19th employee when sales were $200.000 a month. I worked there for 32 years and know the actual history of the company. The stated history could not be more wrong. I am responsible for a number of the products that are currently in the Jet line as one of my many jobs was sourcing in China. I also handled product liability legal matters as well as running the Auburn Washington distribution center for the last 5 years of my career. Nice to see Walter Meier gone.